District News

Week-day service Although it was not as busy as usual, those who attended the week-day service at St John’s Church last week were delighted to welcome popular visitor Bill Love. Bill delivered the day’s address with all enjoying his thought-provoking message and choice of hymns. The kettle’s on event in the church hall afterwards gave a warm welcome to all with tea and cakes and chat. This week’s 10.30am service on Thursday will include a short communion service and it is hoped that many will come along and take part. 175th anniversary visit St John’s Church will be celebrating its 175th anniversary this year and to mark its special year the church has already welcomed a host of special guests to join them in their celebrations. The church recently welcomed many special visitors from Nigeria. These included His Eminence the Most Reverend Nzie N. Eke, prelate and moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Rev Ini Ukpuho, director of the National Directorate of Ecumenism and Interfaith of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, and Mrs Uzoaku Williams, secretary of the National Directorate of Ecumenism and Interfaith of the Nigerian church. All spent a memorable time enjoying the town’s hospitality and catching up with old friends. On Sunday, June 24, the congregation of the church are looking forward to welcoming guest preacher the Rev Professor W. Storrar. Gala day There will, no doubt, be many excited youngsters gathering around the town this week awaiting the start of this year’s “big” gala day on Saturday. Many of the local shoppers will have already glanced at the maids’ and gala queen’s glamorous dresses which have been displayed in many of the town’s shops throughout this week. Meanwhile, preparations are still being finalised in time for the longawaited decorated houses competition, with the gala proceedings due to begin on Saturday morning at 11am. The gala queen’s procession and her court will move off on their tour of the town starting from Sandy Road. And the crowning ceremony will then take place in the town’s Market Square at around 12.15pm. There will be lots of entertainment and activities for all ages available on the day to ensure this year’s event will go off with a bang and it is hoped that the local community will come out in their droves to again celebrate this momentous occasion. St Athanasius Parish Representa- tives from the Mary’s Meals charity will be visiting St Athanasius Parish Church during the weekend of June 16 and June 17. It is hoped that many members of the church community will take the opportunity to donate any of their unwanted items in support of this year’s charity appeal. Anyone wishing to donate to this year’s appeal are asked to place their unwanted items of textiles, shoes, clothes, curtains, bedding (no pillows or duvets), handbags, etc into black bags. These can then be left at the designated area in the church for collection by the charity. Raffles tickets will also be on sale on the day to raise additional funds. Christian Aid appeal A tremendous total was raised for this year’s Carluke Churches Christian Aid appeal as a result of the congregations from St Andrews, St Athanasius, St John’s, Kirkton and United Reform churches working together to raise approximately £6207 during this year’s Christian Aid cafe week. As well as the sale of goods made during the weeks leading up to to the appeal, additional sums were raised from the church cafe which took place in Law Church, through card stalls and generous cash donations. In addition, the Choices charity shop raised a further £1500. The town’s residents dug deep and responded so generously to the house-to-house collections to gather an additional £3215. This brought the total raised during this year’s Christian Aid week to an amazing £11,159.82, which will be used by the charity to carry on its vital work throughout the world’s many deprived areas to help its communities. The Carluke Churches Christian Aid group continues to be extremely grateful for the town’s support and expressed their sincere thanks to everyone who assisted in making this year’s appeal such a great success. Coffee morning The youngsters of the local Street Level community group, who are based at the town’s Stewart Street venue, would like to sincerely thank all those who supported and came along to their recent fundraising coffee morning, which raised a total of £450 for their funds. Parochial Hall AA meeting at 7pm to 9.30pm and jive class on Mondays 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Tuesdays - Irish dancing 6.30pm to 8pm and Jiggercize 8.15pm to 8.45pm, bingo on Wednesdays 7.30pm to 9pm, Thursday Club 1pm to 2.30pm and bowling 7pm to 9.30pm. SGF: Mondays - abs attack 6pm, Tuesdays - super circuits 7pm, Wednesdays - kettle bells 6pm and combat class 7.30pm, Thursdays - pump class 7pm and Fridays - super circuits 6pm. Orange Halls Events begin tonight with Craigneuk Branch Club Apprentice Boys of Derry meeting at 7pm; Thursday sees Daughters of the Somme LLOL 1916 meeting at 7.30pm. Monday night sees bingo, for eyes down at 7.30pm, all welcome; Craigneuk True Defenders Flute Band practise session starts at 7.30pm on Tuesdays.

Craigneuk Overtown

Overtown Parish Church the morning service in the church on Sunday is at 11am. There will be a creche for younger children. The OK Club and B Club Seven will meet in the church hall at 10.50am until noon, where the youngsters can enjoy a mixture of stories, games, singing, crafts, painting and drawing. Old and new members will be made very welcome. Find out more information about these groups by calling K Crichton on 01698 360580. Visitors to the church will be made most welcome. Line dancing class continues this afternoon in Overtown Church hall, from 12.30pm to 1.15pm for beginners’ and refreshers’ session, followed by the main class at 1.15pm until 2.45pm.

Gowkthrapple

Community cafe is open for business as usual on Thursdays, between 11.30am and 1.30pm in Gowkthrapple Community Centre. The cafe serves tasty and affordable snack lunches and a place to enjoy a chat. There is also takeaway available.